New Exhibit – “Over the Top: Honoring Fairport’s World War I Veterans”

Fairport Town Historian Bill Poray and Fairport Historical Museum Director Vicki Masters Profitt have spent the last several months researching and compiling a new exhibit at the museum (18 Perrin St.) which will be on display through October 2017.

“Over the Top: Honoring Fairport’s World War I Veterans” commemorates the involvement of Fairport and Perinton residents, both military and nonmilitary, abroad and at home, in World War I. The exhibit is especially relevant this year, as 2017 represents the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the U.S.’ involvement in “the war to end all wars.”

Approximately 280 sailors and soldiers from this local community participated in the war, and many more did their part at home. Included in the exhibit is information on those who served, including the ten who gave the ultimate sacrifice. Also on display are many artifacts with a Fairport, Perinton and Rochester connection. Several items manufactured in Monroe County for the war effort are included: Bausch and Lomb binoculars, a communications device built by Stromberg Carlson, a compass made by Taylor Instruments and an ingenious trench periscope with leather case made by the Wollensak Optical Company. Many of the artifacts displayed come from the collection of the Fairport Historical Society while others are on loan from the Town of Perinton and its Historian Bill Poray.

All are welcome to visit this free exhibit during regular museum hours. More information can be found at www.perintonhistoricalsociety.org